Illustrated idioms win youngster’s love

“Idioms and proverbs of Vietnam” is among very few books that introduce idioms and proverbs with eye-catching illustrations. In its first publication, the book has won reader’s love with thousands of

“Idioms and proverbs of Vietnam” is among very few books that introduce idioms and proverbs with eye-catching illustrations. In its first publication, the book has won reader’s love with thousands of editions sold. What makes it so attractive to readers?

Idioms, proverbs and folk stories show the folk culture of Vietnam. However, in current society, such idioms and proverbs are slowly being forgotten, they are no longer popular with younger generations.

The book “Idioms and proverbs of Vietnam” introduces 82 Vietnamese sayings suitable for children aged three years old and above. Words in the book are re-created through paintings which make them easier for young readers to understand.

Different from normal illustrative images which are made on computer, painter Dang Hong Quan chose a totally different way by sketching on woodblocks then retouching on a computer to create natural effects.

Born into a painter family, Quan said he watched the folk paintings long enough to absorb them and he wanted all his works to carry the touch of folk tradition.

Besides the eye-catching brush strokes and colours, the painter also breaths an optimistic spectacle of folk art into his images. In his illustrative images, even the villains are mischievous.

Quan said he plans to run other projects using folk paintings to popularise traditional culture to the youth.-VNA

Illustrated idioms win youngster’s love

“Idioms and proverbs of Vietnam ” is among very few books that introduce idioms and proverbs with eye-catching illustrations. In its first publication, the book has won reader’s love with thousands of editions sold. What makes it so attractive to readers? Let’s find out.

Idioms, proverbs and folk stories show the folk culture of Vietnam . However, in current society, such idioms and proverbs are slowly being forgotten, they are no longer popular with younger generations.

The book “Idioms and proverbs of Vietnam ” introduces 82 Vietnamese sayings suitable for children aged three years old and above. Words in the book are re-created through paintings which make them easier for young readers to understand.

Thu Ha

I have bought many books about idioms and proverbs for my kid. But today I was fascinated with this book. The previous ones were full of letters only and I had to explain many things to my child. In this book, all the illustrations are familiar and easy to understand. They are in Vietnamese style, not Japanese one. When my kid looked at the images, he laughed out loud.

Different from normal illustrative images which are made on computer, painter Dang Hong Quan chose a totally different way by sketching on woodblocks then retouching on a computer to create natural effects.

Painter Dang Hong Quan

All the images were outlined in this sketch book. The ideas came to me very naturally. After that, I transferred the ideas to the woodblocks which have natural surface, then scanned the images and retouched with computer.

Born into a painter family, Quan said he watched the folk paintings long enough to absorb them and he wanted all his works to carry the touch of folk tradition.

Besides the eye-catching brush strokes and colours, the painter also breaths an optimistic spectacle of folk art into his images. In his illustrative images, even the villains are mischievous.

Quan said he plans to run other projects using folk paintings to popularise traditional culture to the youth.-VNA

VNA